Political activists flee as arrests continue

The ongoing arrests of members of an outlawed political party in connection with a series of petrol bombings is having a chilling effect on pro-democracy groups in Swaziland. Well-known political activist Maphadlana Shongwe on Wednesday became the fifteenth person to be arrested. He has been charged with destruction of government property, attempted murder and high treason. Shongwe, a member of the banned People's United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO), has been an outspoken critic of Swaziland's absolute monarchy and a fixture in street demonstrations and anti-government marches. "Nobody wants to talk anti-monarchy politics [anymore], or be associated with opposition political parties," said an official of a public health NGO. Like many other sources contacted by IRIN he did not want his name published. Last month the Swazi media reported Shongwe's assertion that PUDEMO was responsible for the string of petrol bombings that have targeted the homes of government and police officials since mid-2005. In response, the police have rounded up members of the banned party. "People have always discussed political matters in lowered voices - now people are silent, they are scared. It seems that some of the bombing suspects may be guilty only of being anti-government, and if that is what it takes to get arrested, naturally, people are very careful what they say," said one businessman in the commercial city of Manzini in central Swaziland. The last treason trial in Swaziland took place in 2003, when PUDEMO president Mario Masuku was acquitted of sedition charges. "Things are different today. With Mario, that was just one high-profile person. Now, first they arrested nine people, then 12, and now it's up to 15. Nobody knows when it is going to end," said a Manzini woman. Few people admit to being members of opposition parties. The petrol bombing suspects' PUDEMO membership were only discovered after their arrest, with the exception of Shongwe and PUDEMO secretary-general Bonginkhosi Dlamini, who was taken into custody last week. Kislon Shongwe, who stepped in as PUDEMO secretary-general after the detention of Dlamini, told the Swazi media that 35 party members had fled Swaziland in fear of arrest. "The police detain just about anyone remotely associated with the organisation, including girlfriends of party members who have nothing to do with PUDEMO - hence, our members have decided to leave the country to neighbouring states in order to protect themselves and their families," secretary-general Shongwe said. The wife of one of the arrested PUDEMO members died of internal injuries two days after she was interrogated by police. A PUDEMO statement claimed she was tortured, and Shongwe said Amnesty International had been notified. If convicted of treason, the defendants face life imprisonment or the death penalty.